Acara, is a joint program of the Institute on the Environment and the College of Science and Engineering that brings a unique and effective approach to the education and development of future leaders. Acara's mission is to educate and develop student leaders and to subsequently develop ventures focused on societal change. Acara does that by offering a series of courses directed toward developing a venture (non-profit, for-profit or some other structure) that is focused on solving an environmental or societal challenge. In the past 12 months Acara faculty have directly taught 100 students in Acara courses, which has generated eight active pilot ventures and two ventures that are already creating revenue.

There is a January term course, CE 5572 (we hope to have this course cross listed with HHH soon) that is specifically designed for a student who has some idea they want to pursue. Acara also actively works with students and former students. There may be courses or other interactions we can provide the Fellows to help them further their own mission. Further information is here.

Acara's approach of combining engineering with social entrepreneurship prompted Nicholas Kristof to call it a "21st-century answer to the student protesters of the 1960s."

Presenting will be Fred Rose and Jullian Marshall, Acara's co-directors. Fred had a long career at Honeywell, coordinating international R&D teams. Jullian is an assistant professor of environmental engineering. In addition to helping to coordinate Acara, he is the faculty co-advisor for the university's chapter of Engineers Without Borders and founder of the Civil Engineering Peace Corps Masters International program.